Stay on target

The Doctor’s Christmas regeneration is still more than four months away. But the BBC has you covered with two upcoming TARDIS texts.

Relive the excitement of season 10 with the Doctor Who 2018 Annual, a slim hardcover volume teeming with new tales of the Twelfth Doctor, Bill, and Nardole.

“With secrets from the latest series, fact files on the latest terrifying monsters, exciting comic strips, stories, puzzles, and activities, it’s the perfect read for any fan,” according to the Penguin Random House brief.

Doctor Who 2018 Annual (via Amazon)

Dive into the Whoniverse with features on Time Lord regeneration and the oh-so-spectacular Missy, a.k.a. the Master—charged with crimes against the universe throughout all her lives.

For those interested in the darker side of Doctor Who, BBC Books unveiled a “spin-chilling” collection of 12 short illustrated adventures, starring various incarnations of the Doctor—and some of his most terrifying monsters and villains.

Doctor Who: Tales of Terror (via Amazon)

Just in time for Halloween, Doctor Who: Tales of Terror compiles works by Jacqueline Rayner, Mike Tucker, Paul Magrs, Richard Dungworth, Scott Handcock, and Craig Donaghy, with illustrations by Rohan Eason.

Maybe don’t read these stories—frightening fables about Autons, Monoids, the Toymaker, Weeping Angels, and Daleks—alone in a dark place:

“As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Ian saw the metal monster his brother and sister called Starman. He was roughly conical in shape, made of machine parts, and with two thin arms protruding from his battered body. There was a large, jagged hole in his side and Ian could see something dark and wet glimmering inside.”

Doctor Who: Tales of Terror (via Penguin)

Just remember: If ever you get too startled, the Doctor always has your back.

Also, keep an eye out for cameos by fan-favorite friends and companions, including Sarah Jane Smith, Jo Grant, Ace, and Donna Noble.